Save the Bridge

For more than 100 years, the bridge over the Lake Junaluska dam has served as an important vehicular route and pedestrian walkway. In the fall of 2016 the bridge over the dam was closed to vehicular traffic due to deterioration of the bridge’s steel support beams.

With your help, we can restore the bridge to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The estimated cost is $1.4 to $1.7 million.

Renewal of the bridge will:

Promote healthy lifestyles by maintaining the full loop of the walking trail

Make it possible to drive completely around the lake

Restore one of the lake's historic landmarks

Preserve these important experiences for future generations

Ways to Give

Project Updates

July 17, 2017: Deconstruction of the bridge began in July. RCF Construction began removing the lower level of the roadway to provide access to the concrete beams that support the steel I-beams. The pedestrian walkway will remain open, though may be closed temporarily at times. Safety netting has been erected for additional pedestrian security.

The bridge completes the vehicular and pedestrian loop around Lake Junaluska.

Engineer John Garner discusses the next step in the project.

The bridge at Lake Junaluska circa the 1950s.

The bridge completes the vehicular and pedestrian loop around Lake Junaluska.